Best Cardigans For Men

Catch Her Eye By Sporting One Of These Stylish Cardigans

We hate to break it to you but, summer is over. On the bright side, fall is the perfect time to break all your super cozy sweaters. Even if your style veers far from hipster, consider breaking out a cardigan as a fresh alternative to a pullover sweater.

If a cardigan isn’t in your starting lineup for this coming season, it’s time to rethink the dad-style staple. Think of it as your cold weather, less-nerdy sweater vest. The open front isn’t as constricting as your old pullover, giving you plenty of room to breathe, and that same open front also makes a cardigan a great way to up your layering game. Layer a cardigan under a fall coat or a blazer for a little added warmth. Throw a cardigan over a patterned button-up for a cozy weekend look. Leave the buttons of the cardigan open to show off your favorite tee without exposing your body to the cold by wearing just a tee.

Keep an eye on the buttoning of your cardigan. Like how you wear a suit blazer, you should never, ever button up your cardigan all the way. Just a few buttons at the bottom or at the top should suffice. Also like a suit jacket, make sure the sweater isn’t too tight. The buttons should not be puckering at your midsection — that means your sweater is too tight and it’ll add unwanted pounds to your midsection. Make sure your sweater isn’t too loose as well — a baggy, ill-fitting cardigan can swallow up your body and look geriatric.

Cardigans aren’t just rainy day sweaters. A thinner knit and tighter fitting incarnation of the sweater will be one of the most versatile items you own: it’ll fit perfectly under a suit jacket for the workweek or under a motorcycle jacket on the weekend. Pair it with some slacks and a white t-shirt. Throw it over your favorite concert tee or your old school shirt, or pair it with chinos or your favorite denim for a more laid-back fall look.

To help you get a handle on the sweater weather, we’ve picked out fifteen of our favorite knits.

Live Jersey Cardigan With Piping

Crisp white piping may seem like a preppy choice, but this cardigan is more along the lines of nu-wave athleisure than a country-club cardigan. As demonstrated here, try pairing it with a t-shirt in the same tone family as the cardigan and a pair of khakis or dickies.$82.00 at Lacoste.com

Donegal Cardigan

Donegal tweed has been a staple to every Irish man for centuries, mainly because it’s one of the warmest sweaters you will ever own. Take the bulk out of layering — all you need on days when the chilly breeze is blowing is this sweater. If it works for sheep in the rainy & cold Irish climate, it’ll work for you. Elbow patches and a closer fit make this sweater an instant classic.$75.00 at FrankAndOak.com

Shawl Collar Donegal Cardigan

You can tell a Donegal tweed sweater from the white flecks throughout the knit. There’s ultra warm — perfect for a campfire night or just braving the wind tunnels in the city. Think of it as your grandpa’s trusty sweater, but given an updated modern twist. Pair it with a flannel shirt for a laid back lumberjack feel.$75.00 at FrankAndOak.com

Twitch Gridstitch Cardigan

There’s nothing old-fashioned about this updated shawl collar cardigan. Gridstitch knots give it a cozy textured feel but the cotton blend won’t create any of the itchiness of a wool sweater. It’s a great chunky knit to throw on when the polar vortex hits.$70.00 at Topman.com

Longline Textured Cardigan

You’ve probably seen these longer cardigans on every girl in America, but trust us, they’re on to something. The longer silhouette and looser fit feels like you’re wearing a super soft blanket. Throw the sweater on over a plain white tee, add a pair of athleisure sweaters and fresh sneakers and you’ve got the comfiest but coolest weekend look.$75.00 at Topman.com

Santiago Shawl Collar Cardigan

This is the kind of chunky knit your mum always told you to pack on a chilly day. The high shawl collar fit, five button detail, and yak wool composition will make it one of the trustiest sweaters you will ever own. One of our favorite details is the lycra blend of the cuffs — even after pushing them up to your elbows for the 1000th time, the sleeve will still retain its original fit and shape.$145.00 at Huckberry.com

Crawford Cardigan

Note the slimmer, lighter fit of this cardigan: it’s perfect for layering under a suit or motorcycle jacket. It may sound like a veer from your normal suiting game but think of it as a cross between your tailored vest and your pullover sweater. It’s a chiller take on the three-piece suit.$95.00 at Huckberry.com

Marled Shawl Cardigan Sweater

There’s a lot to love about an eye-catching graphic sweater like this striped gray and black one from Kenneth Cole. Pair it with a crisp white dress shirt, plain tie and your favorite trousers for the workweek, or throw it over an old tee for the weekend for a laid-back look that isn’t sloppy in the slightest.$59.00 at KennethCole.com

Regular Fit Cotton & Cashmere Cardigan

Thin cashmere, slim fit, and neutral color — this cardigan is basically a wardrobe staple. Our pro tip: don’t overthink these cardigans. Unless you’re one of those ultra-dapper dudes who meticulously match every part of their wardrobe, one of the draws of the cardigan is that it’s the perfect throw-me-on-and-hit-the-road sweater.$60.00 at Nordstrom.com

Maker & Company Marled Button Front Cardigan

This sweater can lead a little too far into the nerdy librarian realm, so pair it with more contemporary staples to bring it back to a modern day look. Try a pair of slim-cut jeans or a crisp white shirt to freshen it up.$120.00 at Nordstrom.com

Twisted Knit Cardigan Sweater

This cardigan is going to be your first line of defense when the mercury starts to drop. This sweater fits slim to elongate your torso. The twisted knit composition with thermal finishings is designed to keep your body heat up while still looking cool.$60.00 at Amazon.com

V-Neck Cardigan

One of our favorite parts of the cardigan is that when the weather drops, you can leave the buttons undone and still show off a graphic tee without freezing. This Amazon sweater is slim fitting and equipped with no-ply performance, so wash after wash it won’t build up those annoying little balls.$59.00 at Amazon.com

Classic Fit Suprima Cotton Cardigan Sweater

Cardigans are cool nowadays. Everyone from Pharrell to Vince Staples is rocking a cardigan nowadays. For a rap-god approved look, ditch pairing your cardigan with a collared shirt and throw it over a crisp white tee. Add squeaky clean sneakers and some cropped trouser. Dropping the mic is voluntary.$69.00 at LandsEnd.com

Jacquard Fleece Shawl Cardigan

The shawl collar has been and always will be a classic. There’s a reason your grandpa liked it: it’s practical, warm, and dresses up a pair of jeans. Wear a shawl collar on a first date — the extra bulk around the neckline will make you look more muscular in the upper body.$145.00 at RalphLauren.com